Cleveland police under investigation in shooting of 12-year-old boy

A caller who reported a young man with a gun told dispatchers the weapon was "probably fake," but it's not clear responding officers were told.

By

Gabrielle Levy

CLEVELAND, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The police shooting of a 12-year-old boy carrying a toy gun in Cleveland is under investigation as the community questions what might have prevented a child's death.

Tamir Rice was shot Saturday after Cleveland police responded to a call reporting "a guy with a pistol" at Cudell Recreation Center.

"There's a guy with a pistol, and he's pointing it at everybody," the caller is heard saying in an audio release. "It's probably fake, but you know what, it's scaring the [expletive] out of everyone."

Officers said they told Tamir to put up his hands, but he instead reached for the gun -- described as an Airsoft, resembling a semi-automatic pistol with the orange safety tip removed -- in his waistband. A rookie officer fired two shots, hitting Tamir in the abdomen.

"Besides, we have to assume every gun is real," Follmer said. "When we don't, that's they day we don't go home."

For Gregory Henderson, Tamir's father, the official story is not nearly enough.

"Why not Tase him?" Henderson asked, calling his son a "respectful" young man who would have followed police orders. "You shot him twice, not once, and at the end of the day, you all don't shoot for the legs, you shoot for the upper body."

The incident has raised questions as to whether race was a factor in the shooting, as several officer-involved shootings in recent months have brought police use of force into the national spotlight. In Missouri, the Ferguson community is bracing for a decision on whether to indict the white police officer who shot African-American teen Michael Brown on Aug. 8.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Alice Reece of Cincinnati announced legislation to require all BB guns, air rifles and Airsoft guns sold in the state to be brightly colored or marked with florescent strips to avoid confusion.

Two officers have been placed on administrative leave while the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office investigates the shooting. The evidence will eventually be handed to a grand jury.